This beautiful Mediterranean Revival-style cultural center on the lakefront was once an exclusive 1900s country club, and now offers performances that range from classical music to African dance. The Obamas held their wedding reception here.

See the evolution of architecture, from early Victorian to Art Deco, on this self-guided tour. Combination tickets include admission to Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace and Museum, and Pleasant Home.

Offers sightseeing tours in more than 150 destinations on six continents and is widely recognized as the world's leader in sightseeing tours, ground transportation, charter service, airport transfers, and convention services.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, this 264,000 sq. foot building provides a new home for the museum’s renowned collections of modern painting and sculpture, contemporary art, architecture and design, and photography. Be among the first to see this dramatic addition that makes the Art Institute of Chicago the second largest art museum in the United States.

We offer a cozy setting for dining, an impressive bar, as well as our own selection of delicious micro-brews made on-site. Our restaurant features a huge variety of menu choices. Banquet rooms available.

There's no place quite like it! From hand-crafted tables and world class pocket billiards to the vast array of games in the Million Dollar Midway, D&B will provide one of the most unique entertainment outings you'll ever experience.

See the "The Best of Broadway" at the Marriott Theatre featuring 5 great musicals every year. The intimate arena theatre is designed so everyone has the best seat in the house. The theatre earns lavish praise from critics, receiving a record 370 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations - Chicago's highest theatrical honor for artistic achievement. Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences presents numerous original works as well as classic fairy tales. Through these works, children experience the joy and magic that is "live" theatre.

Dawn until dusk, a 36 m. trail is the forefront of outdoor recreation passing through Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Aurora. It winds along the banks of the Fox River through miles of prairie grass, overshadowing trees and blooming flowers.

Floor-to-ceiling windows afford beautiful views of the Museum Campus at this South Loop hotel. Chicago’s Essex Inn is close to downtown shopping and museums, and features an all-season, sky-lit rooftop pool with an adjacent outdoor garden. Dine in at Tribute, a classic American restaurant with a modern culinary edge. Offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as “grab and go” options for on-the-go business people.Free shuttle to the exclusive Magnificent Mile shopping district.

This powerful, 31-story tower was designed by Jacques Brownson (b. 1923) of C. F. Murphy Associates. Composed of three massive structural bays, each an unprecedented 87-feet wide and nearly 48-feet deep, and supported by warren trusses at every floor, the building achieves incredible structural integrity and interior flexibility. The exterior wall plane consists of 12-foot-high windows with amber-tinted glass and 6-foot-high panels of self-weathering Cor-Ten steel, which has aged to a rich brown color. The large public plaza features a 50-foot-tall Cor-Ten sculpture of 1967 by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), gifted by him to the city of Chicago. The Daley Center plaza is one in a line of three important public plazas in the heart of the Loop (see also the Federal Center and Chase Bank Plaza).
Photo courtesy of AIA Chicago, Wes Urschel. Copy and descriptions courtesy of AIA Illinois and the 150 Great Places in Illinois www.illinoisgreatplaces.com

Named for the late improvising guru Martin de Maat, this 49-seat theater is dedicated to presenting productions that are rooted in the crafts of theatrical improvisation and sketch comedy as taught by The Second City Training Center.

Rent a bike and ride along the city's breathtaking Lakefront Trail with a guide from Bike Chicago, or pick up a free map and take your own self-guided tour. The section of the bike path that winds along North Avenue Beach is featured in the dramatic comedy The Break-Up.

Dick's Sporting Goods leads more athletes to victory by providing the edge they need to perform at their peak. They offer a deep assortment of sporting goods and apparel for baseball, football, hunting, golf, fishing and more.

Let Noble Horse make your day or evening special. See the city from a lovely antique horse carriage ride. Noble Horse Carriages are available at 2 locations: Michigan Avenue: 820 N. Michigan Avenue, the corner of Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue and Old Town: 1410 N. Orleans Street, the corner of Schiller and Orleans.

President-elect Barack Obama is an avowed fan of the Chicago White Sox, and is often seen wearing a White Sox baseball cap. U.S. Cellular features an exploding scoreboard, an old-time facade, complete with arches and over 40,000 unobstructed-view seats.

Big Star is a whiskey, tequila, cocktail and beer-focused venue located in the heart of Wicker Park, Chicago. Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Cary Taylor have crafted an eclectic menu inspired by Mexican street food in a space reminiscent of a California honky tonk. The food, liquor and cocktail programs change continuously to complement the seasons, and always feature six beers on tap, and an ever-growing selection of our house-selected single barrel bourbons and whiskeys.

Bring a group of friends to play a round of paintball at Fox River Games. Open play or "walk-on" play is recreational play for all ages (age restrictions) and skill levels. Play as an individual or play in groups. Typically we are open every weekend Saturday and Sunday and during the summer we operate on Wednesdays and Fridays too. Please check our website for our operating schedule and specific hours of operation.

Whether you're visiting the Chicago area for business or pleasure, The Carleton of Oak Park offers gracious accommodations in the Oak Park tradition. The hotel is nestled in a residential historic district and within walking distance of downtown Oak Park. The Carleton, has been providing area visitors with exceptional service for over eighty years. The Carleton hotel is the perfect venue for weddings, social events and corporate meetings. Over 6,000 square feet of event space, four unique function rooms along with our professional staff, will make your event a success.

Dedicated on February 12, 2009, Lincoln Landing is Lockport's newest attraction. This park, located on the original Public Landing platted as a dock area by Canal Commissioners in 1836, features a unique bronze statue of a young Abraham Lincoln created by artist David Ostro. Interpretive signage through the park highlights the history of the I&M Canal, its impact on the Lockport community, and Lincoln's connections to both. This open-air museum is self-guiding, but is enhanced by a website with school lesson plans.

This Boystown vintage hotel is located close to historic Wrigley Field (home of Chicago Cubs baseball), as well as gay-friendly restaurants and nightclubs. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace during warm-weather months.

Located in Logan Square, this brewpub is a bustling meeting place for beer enthusiasts from across Chicago and beyond. More than 50 different beer styles are produced each year, served in a converted warehouse with barrel wood walls and benches made from 100-year-old beam salvaged during construction. Hand-crafted food from the kitchen includes everything from farm-raised pork to plenty of vegetarian dishes.

Creek Bend Nature Center features interpretive displays and hands-on exhibits. All the exhibits you loved at Tekakwitha Woods have been relocated here, including Prairie Ecology, with the bison and biodiversity components, and the ever-popular Clams-Eye View of the Fox River. There are separate rooms for classes and a lab. There’s something for any nature lover at Creek Bend Nature Center, from bird watching to guided nature hikes, nature programs and self-guided activities.

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - This comfortable Hampton Inn & Suites is conveniently situated near the Marcus 16 Cinema IMAX, Dave & Busters, Famous Dave's and Home Run Inn pizza. We are 18 miles west of downtown Chicago and 10 miles from O'Hare, located off I-355 at Lake Street.

Discover the gay-friendly shops and restaurants of Andersonville, then head to Edgewater to see Art Deco and Tudor Revival architecture in the Bryn Mawr Historic District. Tours depart from the Chicago Cultural Center.

This historic landmark theater offers affordable live entertainment including a critically-acclaimed Broadway Series, comedy, concerts and dance in both The Paramount Theatre & Copley Theatre. Group discounts. Theater rentals are perfect for meetings, performances, fundraisers and banquets.

The busy life of a successful power couple (she’s an image-conscious business woman and he’s a divorce attorney) is turned upside down when they find out they are unexpectedly pregnant and the next nine months turn into an emotional roller coaster ride they never saw coming.

On O'Hare perimeter hotel, located just 12 miles from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and 27 miles from downtown Chicago. Newly renovated in 2007, our four-star, four-diamond hotel is situated in the Chancellory Business Park and three miles from the Schaumburg/Woodfield business district, convenient to such companies as Arthur J. Gallagher, Sun Microsystems, Hitachi, and NEC Display Solutions. We offer special amenities designed to exceed all of your expectations - from the Heavenly Bed® with an oasis of plush comfort to the Heavenly Shower® with dual showerheads and more elbow room. Renew your commitment to fitness at the WestinWORKOUT® Gym. The Westin Kids Club® features fun activities, essential amenities, and helpful services for children under 13. Enjoy delicious dining at Don Shula's Steakhouse, considered one of the top steakhouses in the U.S. Renew, refresh, and revive at The Westin Chicago Northwest.

Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is a renowned educational institution rich in history and architecture. More than 150 historically significant and interesting sites on campus are featured in various 30-minute walking tours.

One of the nation’s largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.
The MCA aspires to engage a broad and diverse audience, create a sense of community and be a place for contemplation, stimulation, and discussion about contemporary art and culture.

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Jump in to summer fun at Centennial Beach! Featuring four acres of grass and trees, a sand beach, water play features, an NCAA/U.S.S.-approved diving complex, this historic beach is a place the whole family can enjoy! With water depths ranging from zero to 15 feet, the facility caters to swimmers of all skill levels. Combined with a playground, Frisbee® Area, shallow end slide, concessions stand and Beach store, Centennial Beach is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. Named "best public place to swim" in 2008 by Fox News Chicago viewers in an online poll!

The rink, now in its twelfth season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets.

TopGolf is an interactive high-tech golfing experience like no other. With state-of-the-art equipment, restaurant, and bars, they are able to take care of your every recreation, social, and event need.

The Chicago Slaughter is a member of the Indoor Football League, which has teams in over 25 cities nationwide. Come see an exciting game and cheer on your team! Headed by Coach Steve "Mongo" McMichael and William "The Refrigerator" Perry, former Chicago Bears.

The Ruby Room includes a spa, salon, and two distinctive boutiques selling skincare, haircare and wellness products. And, if you're looking for rest and rejuvenation, overnight guest rooms are available.

Take a walk through Riverside's history by spending the afternoon with the Frederick Law Olmsted Society, your guide to learning more about the village's unique community and landscape design. Riverside was designed in 1869 by famous landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

Handcrafted Wine. Modern Casual Dining.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant opened in 2005 in Orland Park, a south suburb of Chicago. The concept was unique. They created a signature menu with a selection of dishes designed to pair perfectly with their own Cooper’s Hawk wines, made in their own private winery. With sophisticated food and exceptional wines, the concept was born.The Cooper’s Hawk concept includes four distinct components: an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, and Napa-style tasting room and retail gift store…all under one roof. Each Cooper’s Hawk location is distinctive in layout and décor, but carries the same warmth and elegance that guests have come to expect.

The Millennium Carillon, a unique musical instrument consisting of 72 bells, is one of only four Grand Carillons in the world. Enjoy carillonneurs perform during the summer concert series and climb 253 steps to the observation area to marvel at the views.

The prairie grove, covering 123 acres of ecologically diverse prairie land, is preserved and maintained as former home of the visionary horticulturist and educator Dr. John Kennicott, who brought his family from New Orleans to settle on his land in 1836. The Grove, located in Glenview, is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It offers many opportunities for educational, environmental and historical enjoyment including two historic homes, the Kennicott House and the Redfield Estate; the Grove Interpretive Center, a Native American Village, a Log Cabin, a Schoolhouse, a Wetlands Greenhouse and numerous interpretive trails.

This excellent comedy follows the pursuits of a pair of suburban Aurora slacker friends who have a public access cable show and a penchant for ‘70s rock. The movie was filmed on location in Aurora and Chicago. One of the notable Chicago sites includes a kitschy gift shop with a large Indian statue on its roof.

The Arboretum is South Barrington’s newest and most exciting place to shop, dine and play. The open-air center is named for the lush treescapes and gardens of its landscape, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. An upscale mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues including iPic Theaters, the ultimate cinema experience and a new way to go to the movies; L.L.Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store and the incomparable Pinstripes Bowling/Bocce/Bistro.

For a whole new way to experience Chicago, get out on the water with Spirit of Chicago. Come aboard for a fun, energetic cruise experience you won’t forget. You’ll enjoy delicious food and drink, friendly service and great entertainment with Chicago’s sparkling skyline as your backdrop. Join Spirit for a lunch, dinner or special event cruise, or consider Spirit for your next group event.